Life jacket



Feb. 5, 1963 c. E. MANHART LIFE JACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21,1958.

INVENTOR: Charles E. Manhart Feb. 5, 1963 c. E. MANHART ,0

LIFE JACKET I Filed Aug. 21, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrom' Charles E.Manhcrt BY it Sttes.

fllfiih? Patented Feb. 5, 19%3 3,076,207 LIFE JACKET Charles E. Manhart,3133 SW. 25th Terrace, Miami, Fla.

Filed Aug. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 756,455

5 Claims. (Cl. 9338) This invention relates to life jackets and pertainsmore particularly to that type of life jacket which is inflatable bymeans of a compressed air, carbon dioxide or the like gas bomb. I

' Life jackets of the type normally used, as for example,

by lines, of necessity, must be of relatively light weight but yet atthe same time they must besufficiently simple in design and constructionas to enable a user to easily don the jacket without the danger ofmisapplying it.

Additionally, such jackets must also be comfortable and, lastly, it isof course in the interest of economics that these jackets be constructedas inexpensively as possible.

It is therefore of primary concern in connection with this invention toprovide an improved form of life jacket of the general characterdescribed above herein wherein the jacket is characterized particularlyby its simplicity in construction whereby the simplest of operations isrequired for donning the jacket for use and wherein certain features ofthe construction are such that the manufacturing process is materiallysimplified rendering the jacket of extremely economical construction.

Anotherobject of this invention resides in the pro vision of an improvedform of life jacket constructed in a the form of a yoke which is adaptedto fit over the users head to extend around behind the neck and hangdown on the chest of the wearer, certain securing straps beingassociated with the yoke assembly to hold the same in place.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved form of lifejacket in accordance with the preceding paragraph wherein the yokeassembly is formed of two separately inflatable yoke pieces and each ofwhich is additionally formed from substantially identical pairs ofmating panels sealed along their edges to form a continuous pocketthroughout each yoke piece before the entrapment of air or pressurizedgas therewithin.

Another object of this invention is to provide an im proved form of lifejacket in the form of a yoke constructed from two separately inflatableyoke pieces, each of which is of generally U-shaped configuration andwherein the two yoke pieces are joined together along the boundary oftheir inner edges and wherein such joining together at the back of theusers neck is accomplished by extending inner marginal flaps of the yokepieces in sandwiched relation between the yoke pieces so that when theseparate yoke pieces are inflated, the ballooning eifect of the yokewill maintain the flaps out of contact with the users neck so as toavoid any chafing, the flaps also being utilized for the anchoringthereto of securing straps for the jacket assembly.

A still further object of this invention resides in the I constructionof a life jacket wherein the finished product embodies a pair of yokepieces, each of generally U-shaped configuration and with the yokepieces being r, disposed in superimposed relationship, one upon the 2other, and joined together along inner marginal boundary areas thereofand wherein each of the yoke pieces is formed from four separate panelswhich are substantially identical in construction to each other andwherein the four panels are laid upon each other in a fashion to form aclosed U-shaped tube, the panels being sealed around the outer and innermarginal edges to effect this tube construction and wherein there isfurtherprovided flaps at the inner center of the bight of the U-shapedyoke pieces for effecting the securement thereto of strap means by meansof which the jacket is fastened or secured to the users body, these flappieces being further characterized by a staggered overlapped dispositionrelative to'each other so that the strap means may be secured to all ofthese flaps in overlapping relation thereto with outer edges thereofbeing readily joined to the flaps by virtue of the staggeredrelationship and without requiring the fastening means or stitching, asthe case may be, to extend through all of the layers of the flaps andstrap means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved lifejacket in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph whereinthe stated flap means is projected outwardly away from the point ofcontact with the back of the users neck by virtue of it being disposedin sandwiched relationship between the superimposed yoke pieces, thuseliminating the tendency of the flap to otherwise chafe the users neckwhen in use, the yoke pieces when inflated serving to positively holdthe flap means completely out of contact or engagement'with the back ofthe users neck and with the flap means and associated strap meansthereby also serving to hold the yoke piece which is disposedimmediately adjacent the users body into proper contact therewith andanchoring the same in place while leaving the outer yoke piece free,when inflated, to extend around the users neck in cushioningrelationship thereto effecting a degree of comfort hitherto unknown insuch devices. Still another object of this invention lies in theimprovement in the construction of life jackets embodying substantiallyidentical panels as a base unit for the manufacture of the jacketwherein ears or projections on the separate and individual panels may beincorporated for the purpose of securing thereto desired emergencyarticles such as flares, illuminating devices, sea marker dye packages,signaling devices and the like, wherever desired or necessary, andwherein at the same time the life jacket is characterized by the easeand rapidity with which is may be donned and wherein the construction issuch that its very appearance will apprise the prospective user of theproper manner of donning the jacket with substantially no possibility ofdonning the jacket backwards.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims or that form their In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the improved life jacket positioned on a userand inflated, showing the operative condition thereof;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the jacket as shown in FIG. 1 and illustratingthe securing or anchoring means for the jacket assembly and itsdisposition relative to the yoke FIG. 3 is a front elevational viewillustrating the manpieces forming the jacket assembly; ner of donningthe life jacket;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken generally along theplane of section line 44 in FIG. 2 illustrating the neck of the user asrelated to the jacket assem bly when inflated and indicating the mannerin which the flap means is held out of contact with the users neck toprevent chafing;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the life jacket assembly prior to fastening the.yoke pieces.v together attheir free ends and illustrating the relativedisposition of the flap means with respect to the two yoke pieces;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the individual panel assemblies utilizedin the manufacture of the jacket;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional'view taken substantially along the planeof section line 7 7 in FIG. 5 illustrating the staggered overlappedposition of'the flap means and the manner in which the securing means isanchored thereto; and

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the flap means of the individualpanels of one yoke piece in operative disposition with respect to eachother.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIGS. 1

and 2, the reference numeral 10 indicates in general the life jacketassembly applied to the users body and which will be seen to include ayoke assembly including two separately inflatable yoke sections 11 and12 each of generally U-shaped configuration so as to form a yoke orcollar to be fitted over the users head in the manner substantially asshown. Both of the yoke sections 11 and 12 extend around behind theuser's neck and depend from opposite sides thereof forwardly upon thechest of the user with the inner yoke section 11, which is disposednearest the users body, lying substantially flat against the body for areason hereinafter described. The other or outer yoke section 12, wheninflated, tends to throw itself forwardly to more or less firmly clamparound the users neck and to extend. or project forwardly of the usersbody in the manner shown, the portion clamping around behind the neckserving the function of forming a cushion or pillow for the comfort ofthe user, particularly after prolonged submersion.

As stated hereinbefore, the two yoke sections 11 and 12 are separatelyinflatable and for this purpose there are provided compressed gas bombsgenerally indicated by the reference characters 13 and 14 attached tothe respective yoke portions 11 and 12, and which have suspendedtherefrom the pull cords 15 and 16 by means of which the compressed gasis released to be discharged into the two yoke sections 11 and 12. Guardsheets 17 and 18 are secured to the yoke sections and may have snapfasteners such as 19 associated therewith so as to be snapped about thecompressed gas bombs to protect the same and to avoid abrasion betweenthe bomb assemblies and the yoke sections themselves.

Additionally, the two separately inflatable yoke sections 11 and 12 areprovided with inflating tubes 20 and 21 respectively having check valves22 and 23 associated therewith and terminating in mouthpieces 24 and 25so that the inflation of the yoke sections 11 and 12 may be topped offby the user blowing through these mouthDieces 24 and 25 to substantiallycompletely inflate and fill the yoke sections, as desired.

An advantageous feature of this invention is that the 'two yoke sections11 and 12, when flat, are of substantially identical construction andconfiguration and are disposed in superimposedrelationship one upon theother so that it is perfectly obvious even to the uninitiated that theproper method of donning the jacket is in accordance with the showing ofFIG. 3 wherein the central opening is slipped over the head of the userwith the major portions of the yoke sections extending on the front sideof the users body in the region of the chest, as shown. Furthermore,this particular type of construction permits the life jacket to bedonned very readily and rapidly and does not require any experience,supervision or training in the donning operation, a consideration ofconsiderable importance when it is realized that such jackets areintended for use under emergency conditions where the rapid donning ofthe life jacket is of considerable importance. It is virtuallyimpossible for the user to don the life jacket in the reverse directionsince it is believed obvious and reasonable that the jacket be' donnedin the manner shown.

As will be herein morefully described, securing means, see particularlyFIG. isp'rovided for anchoring or securing the life jacket-to the usersbody and which includes the branched or divided upper section 30spreading into divergent legs 31 and 32 to which are connected thestraps 33 and 34 which pass under the armpits'of the user, as shown, andwhich are joined together through the quick securing clasps 35 and 36 toa central depending strap 37 which is commonly joined to the lower endsof the yokesections 11 and 12, see particularly FIG. 1. In this mannenafter the jacket is initially donned in the manner illustrated in FIG.3, the user slips his arms between the straps 33-and 34, and the yokesections to end up in the relative position illustrated .in FIG. 2, andthe pull ends 38 and 39 of the straps 33 and 34 are jerked or yanked soas to snug the strap or securing assembly to the users body and thushold the life jacket in position relative thereto. After the jacket hasbeen thus donned, the pull cords 15 and 16 may be pulled or yanked toeffect the inflating or filling of the inflatable yoke sections 11 and12 and any topping off may be performed through the tubes 20 and 21.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIG. 6, it is to beunderstood that the two yoke pieces 11 and 12 are each formed from aseries of four panels of a shape substantially identical to that shownin FIG. 6 and as indicated by reference character 40 thereon. Each suchpanel includes a main body portion 41 having an upper extremity 42provided on the inner edge thereof with a laterally extending tab orflap 43 and which is provided also on its inner edge, but at the lowerfree end portion 44 of the panel, with a laterally directed tab 45. Fourof such panels are disposed in predetermined relationship to effect theconstruction of each yoke piece, with the panels being alternatelyoverlapped at the upper regions 42 and at corresponding portions oftheir flaps 43 in the manner shown most clearly in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, it will be understood that the upper extremity of panel 46 isdisposed outermost and that overlapped immediately thereunder is theupper extremity of right-hand side panel 47 and, immediately thereunder,is the upper extremity of that panel directly underlying the panel 46and, lastly, the upper extremity of that panel directly beneath thepanel 47, the inner and outer marginal edges or boundaries 48 and 49 ofthese panels being sealed with respect to each other so as to effect agenerally U-shaped tube in each yoke piece. The flaps 43 are staggeredso that opposite side edges 50 and 51 thereof, see particularly FIG. 8,are laterally ofiset with respect to each other to present, in theseregions, only double layers of the fiaps in each yoke piece assembly.The reason for the staggering of the flaps so that only double layersare provided in the regions 50 and 51 is so that the securing means 30may be secured along the opposite edges thereof to these flaps throughthe double layers of the flaps, rather than four layers of the flaps.

The tabs 45 are ultimately to be joined in overlapping relation wherebythe lower ends of the yoke pieces are joined to each other so that theentire assembly is in the form of a yoke or collar. Sandwiched betweenthese tabs 45 which are joined together is the depending strap piece '37and to which the quick acting clasps 35 and 35 are secured in the mannershown in FIG. 1 in cooperation with the straps 33 and 34.

, The two yoke pieces themselves, in'addition to being joined alongtheir inner boundaries or marginal edges in the regions of the tabs 45',are also joined together through the flaps 43 and this is accomplishedby sandwiching these several flaps between a pair of strips constitutingthe securing membersv 30, stitching or like means being utilized toeffect the securement between the members 30 and the flaps 43. However,the flaps 43- are directed outwardly away from the inner boundary ormarginal edge of the yoke pieces so as to be sandwiched between the twoyoke pieces when the same are deflated or fiat and superimposed uponeach other. This directs the flaps and the associated portions 30outwardly away from the users neck as is illustrated best in FIG. 4.

-Therefore, when the jacket is inflated as illustrated in FIG. 4, theballooning of the yoke pieces 11 and 12 will positively position theflaps 43 out of contact with the back of the users neck in the mannersubstantially as shown so as to prevent any chafing of the users neckwhen the device is actually in use.

Corresponding panels may be provided with laterally projecting cars suchas those indicated by the reference characters 60 and 61 in FIG. 5,provided with eyelets 62 and 63, presenting means by which variousaccoutrements may be easily attached to the life jacket assembly. Forexample, signaling devices, illuminating devices, marking devices or thelike may be suspended or attached to the life jacket by means of theseeyes and eyelets.

It will be noted that the main body portion of the elements 39 serves tohold down the bight portion of the inner yoke section 11 against theusers back and to thus, in general, hold this yoke section firm againstthe users .body, particularly in the region of the neck so as to per-.mit the cushioning effect which will be, as noted most clearly in FIGS.2 and 4, effected at the back of the neck and .at the lower rear portionof the users head when the assembly is inflated.

What is claimed is:

l. A life jacket comprising an inflatable yoke assembly adapted to bepositioned over a users head to extend around behind the neck and todepend from either side thereof toward the waist, said assemblyincluding a pair of similarly formed U-shaped yoke pieces, each beingseparately inflatable with such yoke pieces being normally flat anddisposed in superimposed relation one upon the other, said yoke piecesbeing joined together along their inner edges at the lower extremitiesthereof and having integral laterally extending flaps on the inner edgesin the central regions thereof, said flaps being projected from theinner toward the outer marginal edges of the yoke pieces to besandwiched between the yoke pieces when the same are superimposed, and aharness secured to said flaps including a strap secured to the flaps anddivided to pass therefrom beneath the users armpits and being joined atthe opposite ends of the division to the lower ends of said yoke pieces.

2. A life jacket comprising a yoke assembly for disposition over thehead of a user and having strap means secured thereto for holding theyoke assembly in place, said .yoke assembly including a pair ofseparately inflatable yoke pieces, each of U-shaped Configuration withthe two such yoke pieces being disposed in superimposed relation, eachyoke piece including two pairs of mating panels with the upperextremities of the mating panels being disposed in staggeredrelationship to each other and'sealed along the inner and outer marginaledges of the panels to present a closed generally U-shaped tube in eachyoke piece, each of said panels having an integral laterally projectingflap on the inner edge thereof at its upper extremilapping relationshipwith opposite side edges of alternated flaps extending outwardly beyondthe corresponding edges of the immediately adjacent flaps therebypresenting opposite side areas in the flaps of only double thickness,said strap means including portions sandwiching the flaps of the yokepieces therebetween .and directing the same outwardly from the innermarginal portions of the yoke pieces toward the outer marginal portionsthereof so as to be sandwiched between the yoke pieces when the same aresuperimposed and such that the flaps are directed away from the back ofthe users neck when in use.

3. A life jacket comprising an inflatable yoke assembly adapted to bepositioned over a users head to extend around behind the neck and todepend from either side thereof toward the Waist, said .assemblyincluding a pair of similarly formed U-shaped yoke pieces, each beingseparately inflatable, with such yoke pieces being normally flat anddisposed in superimposed relation one above the other, said yoke piecesbeing joined together along their inner edges so that they are free toexpand when inflated without disturbing the lie of that yoke piecedisposed next to the users chest, and a harness secured to the yokeassembly, said harness including a strap secured to the yoke assembly atthat point thereof which is to be disposed behind the users neck andbeing divided to pass therefrom beneath the users armpits and beingjoined at the opposite extremities of the division to the lower ends ofsaid yoke pieces, each of said yoke assemblies being comprised of foursubstantially identically formed panels, each having laterally inwardlydirected tabs at its lower extremity and each also having a laterallydownwardly directed flap at its upper extremity at the inner marginaledge thereof, said tabs of the several panels being joined togetherwhereby the yoke ty and the several flaps being disposed in staggeredoverassembly is in the form of .a collar and the iiaps being likewisejoined together by and between said strap of the harness and directedthereby from the inner toward the outer marginal edges of the yokepieces to be sandwiched between the yoke pieces when the same aresuperimposed and to be directed away from contact with the users necktoward the outer boundaries of the yoke sections.

4. A life jacket comprising an inflatable yoke assembly adapted to bepositioned over a users head to extend around behind the neck and todepend from either side thereof toward the waist, said assemblyincluding a pair of similarly formed U-shaped yoke pieces, each beingseparately inflatable with such yoke pieces being normally flat anddisposed in superimposed relation one upon the other, said yoke piecesbeing joined together along their inner edges at the lower extremitiesthereof and having integral laterally extending flaps in the centralinner mar ginal regions thereof, said flaps being projected from theinner toward the outer marginal edges of the yoke piece to be sandwichedbetween the yoke pieces when the same are superimposed, and a harnesssecured to said flaps including a strap secured to the flaps and dividedto pass therefrom beneath the users armpits and being joined at theopposite ends of the division to the lower ends of said yoke pieces,each of said yoke pieces being comprised of four substantiallyidentically formed panels, each having laterally inwardly directed tabsat its lower extremity, said tabs of the several panels being joinedtogether whereby the yoke assembly is in the form of a collar and theflaps being likewise joined together by and between said strap of theharness and directed thereby away from contact with the users necktoward the outer boundaries of the yoke sections.

5. A life jacket construction comprising a pair of initiallysuperimposed yoke sections, each consisting of four separate panelssubstantially identical in configuration, said upper extremities of saidpanels being joined together in overlapping relationship and the lowerextremities of such panels being all joined together whereby each yokesection is in the form of a collar, the two yoke sections being disposedin superimposed relationship and having laterally directed flaps attheir upper, inner extremities, said flaps being disposed to lie backupon the main body portion of the yoke sections so as to be sandwichedbetween the yoke sections when secured together and with the yokesections being secured to each other in this region by the flaps, theflaps being directed away from the inner and toward the outer marginaledges of the yoke pieces, and anchoring means secured to said flaps toextend therefrom downwardly along the users back to hold the centralportion of the yoke section closest to the users body substantially flatthereagainst, even when inflated, and straps extending therefrom fordisposition beneath the armpits of the user and for 8 securement attheir free ends to the lower extremities of said yoke sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,128,423 Manson Aug. 30, 1938 2,405,484 Bailhe Aug, 6, 1946 2,508,303Sturtevant May 16, 1950 2,538,775 Goldsmith Jan. 23, 1951 2,621,342Boyle Dec. 15, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 486,134 Italy Nov. 2, 1953

1. A LIFE JACKET COMPRISING AN INFLATABLE YOKE ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO BEPOSITIONED OVER A USER''S HEAD TO EXTEND AROUND BEHIND THE NECK AND TODEPEND FROM EITHER SIDE THEREOF TOWARD THE WAIST, SAID ASSEMBLYINCLUDING A PAIR OF SIMILARLY FORMED U-SHAPED YOKE PIECES, EACH BEINGSEPARATELY INFLATABLE WITH SUCH YOKE PIECES BEING NORMALLY FLAT ANDDISPOSED IN SUPERIMPOSED RELATION ONE UPON THE OTHER, SAID YOKE PIECESBEING JOINED TOGETHER ALONG THEIR INNER EDGES AT THE LOWER EXTREMITIESTHEREOF AND HAVING INTEGRAL LATERALLY EXTENDING FLAPS ON THE INNER EDGESIN THE CENTRAL REGIONS THEREOF, SAID FLAPS BEING PROJECTED FROM THEINNER TOWARD THE OUTER MARGINAL EDGES OF THE YOKE PIECES TO BESANDWICHED BETWEEN THE YOKE PIECES WHEN THE SAME ARE SUPERIMPOSED, AND AHARNESS SECURED TO SAID FLAPS INCLUDING A STRAP SECURED TO THE FLAPS ANDDIVIDED TO PASS THEREFROM BENEATH THE USER''S ARMPITS AND BEING JOINEDAT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE DIVISION TO THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID YOKEPIECES.